| Author | Message | ||
     Cecilia New member Username: Cecilia Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2007 Rating: N/A |
Hello! I just inherited this watch and I'd like to know a bit more about it for sentimental reasons. Approximate date of fabrication, how the original wrist used to look like... Maybe I should open the case to get the number, but I don't know how to do it. Moreover, I can't wind it up anymore, does anyone know if it can be fixed easily? Thank you for your help and sorry for my bad English, Cecilia      | ||
| Clavi New member Username: Clavi Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2006 Rating: N/A |
I will let Zaf answer you on the movement fixing problem. What I can tell you is that I have 2 of these duoplans, and there is a case part missing on yours. This model, sometimes referred to as "guillotine" or "coulissante" (model ref 818), should normally have a sliding dial cover (you can see the sliding guides on the side of the case of your watch). In the 'idle' position, the dial is hidden by a cover. To tell the time, you need to unhide the dial by sliding this cover. The cover comes back to hide the dial automatically as it is operated by a spring (therefore you normally can't have the dial visible if you are not touching and holding the cover). I guess that the production of this model started in the mid-30's, however I had the surprise to see that it was still in production in the mid-60's, as I have it in a 1963 brochure. Normally, you need the movement serial number to date the watch (you then need to open it, but you should be careful when doing that with a Duoplan). However, I can tell you that yours is probably a earlier one compared to mine as I see your case number is in the 90xxx range while mine is in the 660xxx range. From the picture below, you will see that the watch usually came on a rather generic leather band.    | ||
| Cecilia New member Username: Cecilia Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2007 Rating: N/A |
Clavi, Many thanks for your rather exhaustive answer. Your watch is beautiful with the sliding cover. I wish mine was complete. At least I will change the wristwatch for a leather one. Thanks again for yout help and photos, Cecilia |